Huawei, a Chinese giant in network equipment, is shut out of the Swedish 5G market. The state-owned Chinese manufacturer ZTE is also excluded from the expansion of 5G in Sweden. This is in accordance with requirements set by the Swedish Armed Forces and Säpo.
It is with the help of a new law that was introduced on January 1, 2020, that the Security Police and the Armed Forces could say no to Huawei’s and ZTE’s equipment being allowed to be used for Swedish mobile networks. The purpose of the law is to ensure that radio use can not harm Sweden’s security, according to the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency.
In an interview with SVT, the Minister for Digitalisation, Andres Ygeman, said the following:
“This change in the law makes it possible to refuse a permit if a supplier would constitute a threat to Swedish security.”
Since the law was introduced, PTS (the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency.) has handled conditions regarding equipment for mobile operators together with the Swedish Armed Forces and Säpo.
A formal examination of the applications is made by PTS. A preliminary examination is then made in consultation with Säpo and the Swedish Armed Forces. Ownership and planned activities are such things that are investigated. After the investigation, Huawei and ZTE were therefore rejected for all new installation and new implementation. Existing equipment that has been delivered by the two suppliers must also be decommissioned before 1 January 2025.
4 bidders are approved
Net4Mobility (Tele2 and Telenor), Hi3G Access (Tre), Teracom and Telia have been approved as bidders for the 5G spectrum in Sweden. The bidding is scheduled for November 10, 2020, and is expected to take approximately 10 business days. But PTS opens up the possibility that bidding may take longer than that. How it all ends can be of great importance for Sweden’s 5G development.
The Director General of PTS says the following:
“I am very pleased that we have four approved bidders in the auctions. This guarantees good competition, rapid expansion and good service development.”